Applications are now open for 130 Green Job Youth Corps jobs, a continuation of the state's Kupu ‘Āina Corps program, to help the environment and the economy, the governor's office announced this week.
The jobs, funded with $5 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act money, as part of Hawaii's response to the COVID-19 pandemic's economic impacts, according to a news release from the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).
In a Facebook post Nov. 15, Gov. David Ige (D) urged "those interested in jobs or training in natural resource management and sustainable agriculture" to apply. "The 'Green Job Youth Corps' will expand the successful Kupu ‘Āina Corps program that previously helped to care for 21,700 acres of land and generated an estimated $6.5 million in economic benefits for Hawaii," Ige said.
The relaunched program will be like last year's successful 2020 Kupu ʻĀina Corps program, in which Kupu and the state of Hawaii employed more 350 displaced workers and recent graduates in jobs and training in natural resource management and sustainable agriculture. A third of last year's participants reported they found long-term employment at program's end, and half said they either found long-term employment or were pursuing higher education.
"We are excited to continue the Kupu ʻĀina Corps, and grateful for the opportunity to do so through this partnership with DLNR," Kupu CEO and Cofounder John Leong said, according to the DLNR news release. "This program invests in our residents’ desire to work in jobs that give back to Hawaii and prepare for the environmental challenges of the future. This program will help to build a restorative economy in Hawaii while creating upward mobility for all participants and lead to a more resilient future for our state."
Round one deadline for applications is Friday, Dec. 10, with a final deadline of Friday, Jan. 7. Anyone between 20 and 40 who would like to apply for the full- or part-time jobs, or get more information, can email Kupu at opportunities@kupuhawaii.org.